A brilliant opening partnership of 179 between Janneman Malan (83) and Reeza Hendricks (105) laid the foundation for the bizhub Highveld Lions’ 138 run victory on Friday against the VKB Knights at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom.
The Lions batted first and accumulated 299/8 before dismissing the Knights under lights for 161.
This was a game to decide the wooden spoon in this year’s competition with neither side having much to play for except pride, having missed out on semi-final places. In the end, the Lions ended their season on a high note in the capital of sporting excellence in the North West.
The irrepressible Hendricks smashed 13 fours and continued his fantastic form from last year as he and Malan gave the Lions the perfect start in the sweltering heat.
Malan, who was playing on his home ground, took his outstanding form in North West Dragons colours to the red and blue kit of his franchise team and impressed one and all with a career-defining innings.
Malan does not get a lot of opportunities but the young 21-year-old made his mark with a swashbuckling and confident 87-ball knock that included nine fours and two sixes.
A sigh of disappointment could be heard around the ground when he was eventually dismissed LBW from around the wicket to Knights seamer, Romano Terblanche (2/49).
Hendricks was joined by another Hendricks in the form of the left-hander, Dominic as the two continued the good work before Dominic fell for 16.
The rest of the Lions middle and lower order hit a number of big shots at the end, but, after making a tremendous start, could not get past the 300 run mark. At one stage, 350 was a real possibility and the Knights will feel that they made a great turnaround in the final 20 overs restricting the Lions to 120/7 in that time period.
The Knights openers also started brightly like their counterparts, with Grant Mokoena and Andries Gous putting on a 48-run partnership. Aya Myoli got the first scalp of Gous, caught by the experienced Aaron Phangiso for 16.
The Proteas bowler, Wiaan Mulder struck quickly thereafter, in his third over, getting rid of Mokoena with the score on 52.
A fantastic diving catch was needed from Dominic Hendricks to put the brakes on Mokoena’s innings.
The only Knights batsman who could put up a fight was Pite van Biljon who scored 42 (51) before Mulder trapped him LBW with the score on 125.
The Lions spinner, Bjorn Fortuin was brilliant with the ball as his 4/22 in nine overs cleaned up the Knights batsmen.
This was Fortuin’s best bowling figures in a limited overs match and he ended his Momentum One Day Cup season with seven wickets.

Photos: Wouter Pienaar